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TCS Nashik Case: Police send 3 teams to Mumbai to trace accused Nida Khan, kin say she will surrender soon

TCS announces engagement of Deloitte and Trilegal as independent counsel to internal probe; oversight committee chaired by independent director Keki Mistry constituted to review findings.

TCS Nashik Case: Police send 3 teams to Mumbai trace absconding accused Nida KhanDuring Friday's searches in Mumbai, Khan's husband was detained and questioned within Mumbra police station limits. (Express Photo by Deepak Joshi)

As Nashik Police stepped up the hunt for absconding accused Nida Khan, sending three teams to Mumbai on Friday to trace her, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) announced it had engaged Deloitte and law firm Trilegal as independent counsel to its internal investigation into the harassment case.

Khan is one of two women accused in the case. She is named in only one of the nine FIRs where she is accused of making offensive remarks about Hindu deities. She is not referenced in any of the remaining eight FIRs.

During Friday’s searches in Mumbai, Khan’s husband was detained and questioned within Mumbra police station limits. He told police she had gone to stay with relatives, but when teams reached the address it was found locked. The mobile phones of Khan and her family members were switched off. Police said searches are ongoing. A Special Investigation Team has also been constituted to probe the matter.

Her lawyer Baba Sayyad told The Indian Express that he would soon file an anticipatory bail application on her behalf, adding that she was “a victim of media trial.” He further said Khan was pregnant and her family was concerned about the impact of the case on her health.

Nashik Police Commissioner Sandeep Karnik said Khan’s role in the case was limited. “So far, her role has not emerged in any other FIR. She was an associate and not in HR at the company and in our probe no link has been found to the accused in any case registered across the country. However, since some news channels have been reporting about some accused being linked to banned groups, we have written to central agencies to check as our probe is limited to the nine FIRs,” he said.

police she had gone to stay with relatives, but when teams reached the address it was found locked. Police said Nida Khan had gone to stay with relatives, but when teams reached the address it was found locked. (Express Photo by Deepak Joshi)

The 26 year old Khan, a native of Nashik, has been working with TCS for the past four years and was posted at its Mumbai office since last year following her husband’s transfer, her family said. According to her family, Khan continued working at the Mumbai office until April 10, when she was asked not to report to work after allegations surfaced against her. They claimed that despite an FIR being registered on March 26, the police did not contact them. “The police had her phone number and address, yet we were never approached to cooperate with the investigation,” said her father, who did not wish to be named.

He also countered claims about her role at the company. “She is not from HR as was being reported. Initially, we assumed the reports referred to someone else. It was only after television channels aired her photographs that we realised they were referring to our daughter,” he said.

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Responding to questions about her whereabouts, her father said Khan was not absconding. “She is four months pregnant and has been advised to rest by doctors. We are ensuring her safety and have applied for anticipatory bail. We are willing to cooperate and she will surrender before the police soon,” he added.

Meanwhile, in its statement on Friday, TCS CEO and MD K. Krithivasan said the company had constituted an oversight committee chaired by independent director Keki Mistry to review the findings of the internal investigation and implement any recommendations. The investigation is being led by Aarthi Subramanian, President and COO.

TCS also sought to correct what it called inaccurate reporting about Khan’s role. “Ms. Nida Khan, who is being repeatedly mentioned in the press as HR manager of TCS, is neither a HR manager nor responsible for recruitment. She served as a process associate and did not hold any leadership responsibilities,” the statement said. The company added that its Nashik unit continues to operate and that reports about it being shut down were “absolutely untrue.”

Mohamed Thaver is a highly specialized journalist with the Expertise and Authority required to report on complex law enforcement and legal issues. With a career dedicated to the crime beat for over a decade, his work provides readers with informed and trustworthy insights into Maharashtra's security and justice systems. Experience & Authority Core Focus: Has been exclusively covering the crime beat for over a decade, building deep, specialized knowledge in the field. Geographical Authority: Currently focuses heavily on law enforcement and policy in Maharashtra, providing authoritative coverage of the state's security apparatus. Key Beats: Law Enforcement: Reports on the operations of the Maharashtra Police and the Mumbai Crime Branch. Policy & Administration: Covers the Maharashtra Home Department, focusing on policy matters related to handling law and order and the evolution of the police force. Judiciary: Has significant past experience covering the courts, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire criminal justice process from investigation to verdict. Specialized Interest (Cyber & Forensics): Demonstrates Expertise in modern investigative techniques, with a keen focus on cyber crime and forensics, reporting on how these technologies assist complex crime investigations. Content Focus: His reports revolve around police probes, the evolution of the force, and state policy, ensuring his content is highly relevant and detailed. Credentials & Trustworthiness Mohamed Thaver’s long-standing specialization in the crime beat—combined with his focus on technological aspects like cyber crime and his direct coverage of major institutions like the Mumbai Crime Branch and the Maharashtra Home Department—underscores his Trustworthiness and status as an expert source for detailed and reliable journalism on law and order. He tweets @thaver_mohamed ... Read More

Zeeshan Shaikh is the Associate Editor who heads The Indian Express' Mumbai reporting team. He is recognized for his highly specialized Expertise in analyzing the complex dynamics of Maharashtra politics and critical minority issues, providing in-depth, nuanced, and Trustworthy reports. Expertise  Senior Editorial Role: As an Associate Editor leading the Mumbai reporting team, Zeeshan Shaikh holds a position of significant Authority and journalistic responsibility at a leading national newspaper. Core Specialization: His reporting focuses intensely on two interconnected, high-impact areas: Maharashtra Politics & Urban Power Structures: Provides deep-dive analyses into political strategies, municipal elections (e.g., BMC polls), the history of alliances (e.g., Shiv Sena's shifting partners), and the changing demographics that influence civic power in Mumbai. Minority Issues and Socio-Political Trends: Excels in coverage of the Muslim community's representation in power, demographic shifts, socio-economic challenges, and the historical context of sensitive political and cultural issues (e.g., the 'Vande Mataram' debate's roots in the BMC). Investigative Depth: His articles frequently delve into the historical roots and contemporary consequences of major events, ranging from the rise of extremist groups in specific villages (e.g., Borivali-Padgha) to the long-term collapse of established political parties (e.g., Congress in Mumbai). Trustworthiness & Credibility Data-Driven Analysis: Zeeshan's work often incorporates empirical data, such as National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics on arrests and convictions of minorities, or data on asset growth of politicians, grounding his reports in factual evidence. Focus on Hinterland Issues: While based in Mumbai, he maintains a wide lens, covering issues affecting the state's hinterlands, including water crises, infrastructure delays, and the plight of marginalized communities (e.g., manual scavengers). Institutional Affiliation: His senior position at The Indian Express—a publication known for its tradition of rigorous political and investigative journalism—underscores the high level of editorial vetting and Trustworthiness of his reports. He tweets @zeeshansahafi ... Read More

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